Maharashtra: New CoWIN app set to track 'zero dose' kids

Pune: The upgraded version of CoWIN app to be rolled out this month-end would help authorities digitally track the vaccination status of all beneficiaries against preventable diseases, along with the Covid vaccination programme, said Dr NK Arora, the chief of the National Technical Advisory Group of Immunisation.

The focus would be on tracking the "zero dose" children and help vaccinate them under the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP), said Dr Arora, a part of the dedicated committee for the elimination of measles and rubella in the country. The move assumes significance against the backdrop of recent measles outbreak in pockets of Maharashtra and states like Jharkhand, Gujarat and Kerala.

"The integration of the programme into CoWIN will help improve the monitoring and ensure that no child is left out. Till now, it was done manually. After the integration, the records would be visible on the CoWIN platform to proactively identify at-risk areas and districts to prevent any further surges and ensure that UIP is effectively implemented," the National Technical Advisory Group of Immunisation (NTAGI) chief told TOI on Saturday.

Dr Arora said the system would be more transparent and accountable after integration. The digital records would help connect the Centre, states and districts without physically moving the files. "The Centre is focused on improving the immunisation coverage further to avoid any outbreak situation," he said.

CoWIN was the backbone of the national Covid-19 vaccination programme. Its upgraded version would be rolled out with new security features and real-time tracking of immunisation status of beneficiaries to strengthen the UIP -- one of the largest public health initiatives worldwide, targeting close to 26 million newborns annually and offering vaccination for 12 preventable diseases.

Under the UIP, free immunisation is provided against 12 vaccine-preventable diseases, including diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, measles, rubella, severe form of childhood TB, hepatitis B, meningitis and pneumonia.